According to a recent poll conducted by the DailyKos, Attorney General Jerry Brown, leads 29% to 20% over his closest Democratic competitor, Gavin Newsom, the Mayor of San Francisco. Although this will be Brown’s second run at the California governorship, many still place him as the front runner.   Newsom howevere seem to be gaining ground on his rival according to various other polls and campaigns sources.

A major factor in the race between these two giants is Proposition 8 which supports same sex marriage.  Newsom as everyone knows has always been a major supporter of gay right including the right to marry. As mayor he was responsible for allowing same sex marriage in San Francisco. Jerry Brown on the other hand has not quite shown the feverish level of support to the issue as Newsom has.  This has likely allowed Brown to somewhat distance himself from Prop. 8 and enjoy the  benefits of large campaign contributions from the more conservative base of the state's Democratic party.